^2:4So¹⁰ Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth¹¹ in Galilee to Judea, to the city¹² of David called Bethlehem,¹³ because he was of the house¹⁴ and family line¹⁵ of David. ^2:5He went¹⁶ to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him,¹⁷ and who was expecting a child.

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Footnotes

10 Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the consequential nature of the action.
11 On Nazareth see Luke 1:26. For location see ; ; ; ; .
12 Or “town.” The translation “city” is used here because of its collocation with “of David,” suggesting its importance, though not its size.
13 The journey from Nazareth to the city of David called Bethlehem was a journey of about 90 mi (150 km). Bethlehem was a small village located about 7 miles south-southwest of Jerusalem. For location see ; ; ; .
14 Luke’s use of the term “house” probably alludes to the original promise made to David outlined in the Nathan oracle of 2 Sam 7:12–16, especially in light of earlier connections between Jesus and David made in Luke 1:32. Further, the mention of Bethlehem reminds one of the promise of Mic 5:2, namely, that a great king would emerge from Bethlehem to rule over God’s people.
15 Or “family,” “lineage.”
16 The words “He went” are not in the Greek text, but have been supplied to begin a new sentence in the translation. The Greek sentence is longer and more complex than normal contemporary English usage.
17 Traditionally, “Mary, his betrothed.” Although often rendered in contemporary English as “Mary, who was engaged to him,” this may give the modern reader a wrong impression, since Jewish marriages in this period were typically arranged marriages. The term ἐμνηστευμένῃ (emnēsteumenē) may suggest that the marriage is not yet consummated, not necessarily that they are not currently married. Some read “the betrothed to him wife”; others, simply “his wife.” These readings, though probably not original, may give the right sense.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.

NLTNew Living Translation

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered together with Mary, who was legally promised in marriage to him and was pregnant.

KJV 1900King James Version

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

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